Toady Terry Garbage Pail Kids

A humanoid frog sits atop a lily pad and snatches a bug with its tongue. The creature is wearing a striped t-shirt and sneakers. 

Garbage Pail Kids is a series of trading cards first released in 1985 as a humorous alternative to the widely successful Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Comic artist Art Spiegelman (best known for his seminal graphic novel Maus) developed the idea for the Garbage Pail Kids while consulting with the trading card company, Topps. Each card has a unique character with grotesque features, engaging in typical "gross-out" activities. Toady Terry (also known as Croakin' Colin), seen here, was part of the original third series of the cards, released in 1986. Dead Ted, Bad Breath Seth, and Jay Decay are a few of many gross-out cards still collectible today. 

The cards were loved by children, but often viewed warily by parents and adults. The cards' over-the-top illustrations became a distraction in classrooms, resulting in many schools banning the trading cards. Garbage Pail Kids backlash reached a peak In 1988, when Mexico and Australia both prohibited the importation of the cards. The company was also sued for copyright infringement by Cabbage Patch Kids' parent company; the lawsuit was settled out of court. 

Despite all the controversy surrounding the cards, Garbage Pail Kids became a huge commercial success. International versions of the cards were developed in many countries around the world. A short-lived animated series and a live-action movie were released in 1987 and have become cult classics. As of 2024, the cards are still highly collectible: a mint condition version of the rarest card, Nasty Nick, is valued up to $11,000!